Often times, the stories I write have a kernel of truth to them. What do I mean, they have bits and pieces of my life in them. The story below was the genesis of my book, Careless Whisper. Sad part? The story below is a true story.

They boys bugged me to do this, so I will. This is a true story, which is what makes it even odder.

I went to buy a digital voice recorder to prove that ghosts exist and do talk to us. I get to the store and it’s raining, so my normally stylish coif is plastered to my head. Yeah, I was going for all-out sexy in a drowned cat fashion. Anyway, so I get to the location of the recorders, and the salesman stops me. This was our conversation. (And Kealie will vouch for me)

Salesman (Who was hot BTW): Can I get you anything?

MS: I came here for a digital voice recorder. This one. But it says the thing is on sale. Can you check?

SM: Sure. (He goes to check it on the computer.) How you doing today?

MS: I’m wet, cuz it’s raining.

SM: True. What’cha want this for?

MS: To listen to ghosts.

SM: (Shaking his head) You know ghosts don’t exist?

(At this point, the boys–when I told them–were furious, because being vampires, they know all the undead and ghosties and so forth do so exist.)

MS: (I looked him square in the eye.) Then YOU tell them that.

SM was stunned and hurriedly got his manager to assure me the price was the sale price. So we go to the register to check out. Now a person I know stops me and tells me she liked my free stories, but was Slayer my real name. Duh. Apparently, seeing my credit card, SM decided he needed to speak again — you know, dealing with the transaction.

SM: What nationality is that?

MS: I’m part Irish and part vampire, but don’t tell anyone about the Irish part. They tend to talk.

Again I got that blank stare. I dunno. Maybe he’s never heard of Irish people before.

What do you think?

Here’s a little bit about Careless Whisper

He’s her kinkiest desire, if she’s willing to open her heart and believe in him.

The dead don’t always rest in peace. Some stick around to make the lives of the living hell on Earth. Ryan Black knows the frustration of dealing with the dead. He’s a Ghost Explorer. He’s conquered houses filled with apparitions, abandoned school buildings that house angry vermin, and managed to woo the female population of Snake Falls, Ohio. But he’s about to face his toughest challenge, convincing sceptical Samara Jacobs she not only shares his gift, but holds his heart.

Women fall at Ryan Black’s feet and Samara’s determined not to be one of the many—that is until she’s forced to work with him. He’s certain ghosts exist and willing to prove it. The more she gets to know the man behind the television persona, she decides the handsome klutz who chases things that go bump in the night isn’t so silly after all. But is he worthy of her love?